16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardLay versus lie

Standard English Conventions practice question

Please ____ the blueprints flat on the table so that everyone can see them.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. layCorrect
  2. B. lie
  3. C. laid
  4. D. lain

Answer: A. lay

'lay' takes an object — you lay SOMETHING down. The blueprints are the object, so 'lay the blueprints'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. lie
'lie' takes no object; a person lies down, but you can't 'lie the blueprints'.
C. laid
'laid' is the past tense; a request uses the base form.
D. lain
'lain' is the past participle of 'lie', which doesn't take an object.

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